Ultrasonographic characteristics in patients clinically diagnosed with threatened abortion.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine ultrasonographic appearances in pregnant women clinically diagnosed with threatened abortion. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Seven hundred and seventy six pregnant women clinically diagnosed with threatened abortion and receiving ultrasonographic examination were enrolled Data on ultrasonographic characteristics were obtained from records at the Maternal-fetal Medicine unit. Pregnancy outcomes were reviewed from medical records. RESULTS: The ultrasonographic findings demonstrated 328 (42.3%) viable pregnancy, 178 (22.9%) embryonic death, 176 (22.7%) anembryonic pregnancy, 25 (3.2%) incomplete abortion, 24 (3.1%) complete abortion, seven (0.9%) molar pregnancy, four (0.5%) ectopic pregnancy, and 34 (4.4%) inconclusive finding. Two hundred and sixty viable pregnancies were available for follow-up and revealed that 229 (88.1%) eventually delivered while 31 (11.9%) ended up with abortion. The two groups were not significantly different regarding age, parity, history of abortion, and gestational age at diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonographic findings in patients clinically diagnosed with threatened abortion demonstrated viable pregnancy in nearly half of the cases. Transvaginal ultrasonography is useful in establishing definite diagnosis and appropriate treatment among these patients.